The concept of precision cell therapy targeting tumor-specific mutations is appealing but requires surface-exposed neoepitopes, which is a rarity in cancer. B cell receptors (BCR) of mature lymphoid malignancies are exceptional in that they harbor tumor-specific-stereotyped sequences in the form of point mutations that drive self-engagement of the BCR and autologous signaling. Here, we use a BCR light chain neoepitope defined by a characteristic point mutation (IGLV3-21R110) for selective targeting of a poor-risk subset of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. We develop murine and humanized CAR constructs expressed in T cells from healthy donors and CLL patients that eradicate IGLV3-21R110 expressing cell lines and primary CLL cells, but neither cells expressing the non-pathogenic IGLV3-21G110 light chain nor polyclonal healthy B cells. In vivo experiments confirm epitope-selective cytolysis in xenograft models in female mice using engrafted IGLV3-21R110 expressing cell lines or primary CLL cells. We further demonstrate in two humanized mouse models lack of cytotoxicity towards human B cells. These data provide the basis for advanced approaches of resistance-preventive and biomarker-guided cellular targeting of functionally relevant lymphoma driver mutations sparing normal B cells.
Institut(e)Unit for Clinical Pharmacology (KKG-EKLiP)
FörderungenFritz-Bender-Stiftung SFB-TRR 338/1 Monika-Kutzner-Stiftung Deutsche Jose Carreras Leukamie-Stiftung Wilhelm-Sander-Stiftung Else-Kroner-Fresenius-Stiftung (IOLIN) German Cancer Aid (AvantCAR.de) Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Program Training Network for Optimizing Adoptive T Cell Therapy of Cancer - H2020 Program of the European Union Melanoma Research Alliance Grants International Doctoral Program iTarget: Immunotargeting of Cancer - Elite Network of Bavaria Intramural Roux program funding DFG LMU Munich's Institutional Strategy LMUexcellent
Bruno und Helene Joster Foundation European Research Council Bavarian Research Foundation (BAYCELLATOR) Bundesministerium fur Bildung und Forschung Projects Oncoattract, CONTRACT and Beyondantibody FOR2799 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)